A Classic but is it for me?

Well this is about as far as I go on my search around the Digital watch models, as the one I've found is said to be the the best of the best. In fact I'm told this is THE modern Classic – the Casio G-Shock DW-5600E-1V model with the 3229 module.

Casio G-Shock DW5600E-1V Module 3229

Arguably the best designed Digital Watch of it's time, this particular design first appeared in 1996. This DW5600E version is also about as simple as a G-Shock can be and inside has a set of “sensible” every day use functions and features. Such as the commendable 200m water resistance, a multifunction Alarm, a Countdown Timer and a Stopwatch. Note this one features Module 3229, which has the Auto-Calendar to 2099 (previously to 2039)
Other details are as follows –
The Countdown Timer can be set for any duration from one second up to 24 hours, in one-second increments; optional auto-repeat function.
The Stopwatch: 1/100th second, which measures net time, split time, and first – and second-place times; rolls over at 24 hours.
One Alarm but unusually in addition to the hour and minute, a month and/or date may optionally be set, so the alarm will only sound during the specified month or on the specified day of the month. Actually a very useful reminder, if like me you forget the Dentist appointment.
There is also an Hourly Chime option.
Backlight is provided by the Illuminator, which is an Electroluminescent type, which shows blue/green to light the whole display at any time, though excels in low light situations or at night.
The Battery is a Lithium CR2016 and should last around 2 years in normal operation.
As a G-Shock it has the shock resistant design and in fact is intended to survive a 10-meter fall. This DW5006E version has a Polymer composite-case and a flat steel back panel (4 screws) and is light weight in comparison with older models. Because of the neat flat back, lower profile and relatively small dimensions, it also sits better on the wrist.
Water Resistance is an excellent 200m, so this model has no issues under water!

G-Shock – special strap means it can't sit upright. Note small smooth recessed pushers.

The DW5600 series has a classic shape with it's square/rectangular 43.6mm wide case in tough black Polymer and matching flexible rubber strap. Interestingly when you first strap it on, it suddenly dawns on you that it's actually one tough watch, but amazingly comfortable. It's also rather compact for a Casio G-Shock – which HAS to be a good thing and it suits me VERY well! In fact the case depth is a neat 12.6 mm, so it wears nice and flat on the wrist and slips easily under a shirt cuff.
So no Solar power, no World Time, no Compass, Altimeter, Thermometer or Barometer here – but a classic WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) kind of watch that is not only refreshing, but it's also darned good. A case of less is more, you could say.

Slim profile fits the smaller wrist.

A well protected mineral glass sits above a good contrast Casio digital display. In normal or Timekeeping mode it shows the Time (Hours, Minutes & Seconds – in 12hr or 24hr format), the Date, Day and Month. Note that the Date and Month are contained in a small outlined area of the display and when in Countdown Timer or Stopwatch modes, this area changes to and shows the current time – I think this is a really useful feature. Not so clever for UK users is the fact that you can't reverse the Date/Day format to Day/Date (we Brits like to know what Day it is first, rather than the Date – I mean who cares about the Date!).
The functions as with most digital watches are operated by the use of pushers or buttons on the sides of the case and here there are 4, two on the right and two on the left. There is always a compromise with these as to protection, that is, to make sure they can be used easily and have protection from inadvertent use. Usually this is done either with a recess in the case body and/or small shoulder lugs either side of the pusher. In this model it's achieved by the case shaping and on this model the top left SET pusher is virtually flush with the case and is really difficult to operate easily.
This is doubly tricky as it's the most difficult pusher to reach for a left wrist wearer who is right handed. Also as each of the pushers are really rather small I already find it tricky to “find” the night light for example (bottom right) especially in the dark and end up fumbling around with my (small) fingers searching for it. The case has many hollows and bumps so one recess or bump feels much like any other. Another point is the pushers are small, round and smooth and for me I would prefer some texture on the surface.
As a consequence setting or selecting the functions is not as easy as I would like. Also if I was being picky the sequence of operation of the functions is not as intuitive, for example, as a Timex. An example would be in the setting of the time, where the right pushers don't act as up and down buttons when setting figures, but only the the upper pusher is used and it only increases numbers – you can't dial down the numbers.
However these niggles aside I still like this model – mostly as it has very few gimmicks and it can be worn on large or small wrists and it's comfortable. The Display has good contrast and is large enough to read easily (when on the wrist) and it shows a lot of information in one glance. It has Timers that can be set in various options AND you can read the current time when using these. It has beep Alarms and and the dial can flash at the same time when these are activated. It's very tough but at the same time it's a sensible size.
As folks tell me, it's a G-Shock Classic sure enough and design wise I agree with some but not all of the hype and for me there are reservations – and of course the question always has to be –
Does it work for me?
Now bearing in mind that I have just acquired a Timex T49854J , it may be interesting to have a quick comparison here and now and decide, from a practical point of view, which one I personally prefer.
Case/body style – Timex wins – conventional strap means ease of replacement AND it allows the watch to sit off the wrist on a bedside cabinet for example, upright on it's lugs. The pushers are larger and very much easier to use and whilst they don't have physical protection I have not yet had an accidental push. The night light is very easy to find as it's the largest pusher on the right center of the case, where the crown would normally be.

Casio v Timex – a personal choice.

Display – Timex wins – the display is much larger and easily readable from a distance and even easier when upright. (the Casio has to sit on it's side, so this fact and owing to the slightly recessed face, at 6 feet I can't read it).
Functions – Timex wins – They both sport a similar range of functions, Multifunction Alarms, Chronograph, Countdown Timer, Hour chime etc. though the Timex does have some additional functions and options. But basically the Timex is easier to use and more intuitive. Pushers are larger, textured surfaces, easier to use and the setting procedures are both quicker and simpler to manage. Also the Timex has the option to set DAY/DATE format for the UK users whereas the Casio doesn't. Also the upper and lower right pushers can alter the digits up and down, so setting times etc. is much quicker. In short the Timex function program wise, is in my opinion more user intuitive than Casio.
Alarms – Timex wins (for me) – Though this is personal and purely as this Timex has a Vibration Alarm option. It can have vibration and/or beeps and as I can't hear the beeps any more – a Vibration Alarm wins every time. It's also useful when the watch is off the wrist and on a bedside cabinet. Sitting upright on the case lugs (which the Casio can't do) when the Alarm sounds it also vibrates against the surface it's on (just like a cellphone) and is easily audible even for me. On the wrist of course it's fine as the vibrations are easily felt.
Nightlight – Illuminator v Indiglo. Not much to choose between them – I would guess the Timex is slightly brighter and it's larger of course, but both are good.
Water Resistance – Casio wins – but the winning is moot – 200m against 100m – let's face it both are very good.

The practical choice – Timex T49854J Expedition, Vibration, Chronograph.

So all in all as a personal preference it has to be the Timex basically as I have no issues with it at all. And this is rare I can tell you! It IS a little thicker though unlikely I'd wear either watch in a dress situation. After all the Timex is advertised as an Expedition watch, so fair comment.
The Timex just manages to suit my average wrist and it is the easiest by far to use practically, be it Functions, Pushers, Display, Alarm and that conventional standard fitting strap wins every time.
So whilst it's the Timex for me by a short head, I have to say I like them both and I consider them great buys. bekijk meer horloge replicas en hublot big bang king